This is a powerful and fascinating play about Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight who made an impact on the music industry with their music that blends gospel with a hint of rock and roll.
I’m ashamed to say that before heading to the Rose Theatre to catch George Brant’s thought provoking and detailed play I didn’t know a single thing about Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight. But by the end, I certainly felt informed about their lives in all of the important aspects of their lives together and individually.
Sweeping audiences back to 1946 Mississippi, the story begins as the slightly more rebellious Rosetta who has changed the style of Gospel music is attempting to encourage the more traditional Marie to add a bit more swing into her style and to convince her to join Rosetta on a tour. What then follows is an intimate story of sisterhood, passion for music and dealing with difficulty in their personal lives.
What is so beautiful about George Brant’s play is the way in which it ensures that each character is so distinctive but as the story goes into more depth into their lives, the audience can see how actually they have more in common than first realised. It also get the balance of pain and humour on a perfect balance, with the ending proving to be profoundly moving and unexpected.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe is considered to have had a strong impact on the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Little Richard among others – the script really captures her passion for music and songwriting. She is clearly a person who needs a strong actress to bring her spirit to life and in Beverley Knight that is what she gets.
Knight as well as providing her signature powerhouse vocals, offers Rosetta a fierce and sassy spirit that is inflected with moments with poignancy and humour that keeps the audience thoroughly engaged. She is well matched with Ntombizodwa Ndlovu as Marie Knight, whose character blossoms as the story progresses – she starts the character as lacking in confidence and uncertainty but soon soars with confidence. Her vocals are equally incredible- watch this space to see what she does next.
It is clear to see that both Knight and Ndlovu have spent a lot of time that ensuring the chemistry and camaraderie is spot on and it pays off beautifully. They bounce off each other really well, bringing a lively energy from start to finish, ensuring that the ending really packs a punch in the audience’s emotions.
Elsewhere, the production shines as well. The way in which the well selected songs (which perfectly fit in with the character’s state of mind at the varying points in the play) are performed by a team of incredible talented musicians add an additional depth and meaning to the story. This is full credit to Shirley Tetteh (guitarist) and Liam Godwin (pianist at this performance) in particular, who stationed at either side of the stage ensures the vibrancy of songs such as’This Train’ and ‘I Want a Tall Skinny Papa’ shine through.
In addition, Monique Touko has directed George Brant’s play with great respect and sensitivity that ensures that the audience is swept into Marie and Rosetta’s world effectively and intimately. Touko really leans into the writing, having enough confidence in it to not do anything too over the top and really brings out the best in both performances. The production is a powerful celebration of two talented singers who deserve to be more widely recognised.
It is extremely rare to call any piece of theatre absolutely perfect but Marie & Rosetta deserves this accolade. The writing, direction, music and performances are all exquisite from start to finish. The other important thing about any piece of theatre is that if it has done its job, it will make you want to find out more about its subject – as it is I’m writing this while listening to Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight’s music and going to do my own research into these incredible women.
By Emma Clarendon
Marie & Rosetta will continue to run at the Rose Theatre in Kingston until the 24 May before transferring to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 27 – 31 May and Chichester Festival Theatre 25 June – 26 July.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️